How to Easily Disable Subtitles on Kodi

Are Kodi subtitles causing you frustration, popping up on every video and disrupting your viewing experience?  Welcome to the ultimate guide on how to effortlessly remove subtitles from Kodi, ensuring an uninterrupted and immersive viewing experience. Whether you find subtitles distracting, want to challenge yourself in a foreign language, or simply prefer an aesthetic, subtitle-free screen, we’ve got you covered. In this comprehensive guide, we’ll explore multiple methods to disable subtitles within Kodi settings, remove them per-video, employ a handy subtitle toggle shortcut, and even utilize third-party subtitle add-ons for an enhanced experience.

Why Remove Subtitles?

Before diving into the methods, let’s briefly understand why one might want to remove subtitles:

1. Distraction: Improper synchronization or size issues can make subtitles distracting.
2. Language Proficiency: For language learners, relying on translations can hinder active listening skills.
3. Aesthetics: Some prefer an uncluttered screen to fully appreciate visuals.
4. Technical Issues: Subtitles can sometimes cause synchronization errors or glitches.
5. Personal Preference: Ultimately, it’s about personal choice and what enhances your viewing pleasure.

Method 1: Disabling Subtitles within Kodi Settings

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Launch Kodi and navigate to the home screen.
2. Select “Settings” (gear or cogwheel icon) in the top left corner.
3. In the Settings menu, click on “Player” or “Player settings.”
4. Choose “Language” and set your preferred subtitle language.
5. Scroll to “Download Services” and select your language for subtitle downloads.
6. Return to the home screen and play a video – subtitles should no longer appear automatically.

Note: Instructions may vary slightly based on your Kodi version.

Method 2: Removing Subtitles via Video Player Settings

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Open Kodi and go to the home screen.
2. Navigate to the video section and select the video.
3. Right-click or press “C” to access the context menu.
4. Choose “Subtitle settings” or “Subtitles.”
5. In the subtitle settings, select “Disable” or “None.”
6. Close the menu and enjoy your subtitle-free video.

Note: Instructions may vary slightly based on your Kodi version.

Method 3: Using a Subtitle Toggle Shortcut

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Launch Kodi and go to the home screen.
2. Click on “Settings” (gear or cogwheel icon) in the top left corner.
3. In the Settings menu, select “Player” or “Player settings.”
4. Click on “Language” and scroll to “Subtitle options.”
5. Enable “Enable or disable external subtitles.”
6. Set a message like “Subtitle toggle” for OSD.
7. Press the back button and go to “Player” > “Input/Codecs” > “Subtitle shortcuts.”
8. Assign a keyboard shortcut or remote button for “Toggle subtitles on/off.
9. Close the menu and use the shortcut to toggle subtitles during video playback.

Note: Keyboard shortcuts can vary based on your setup.

Method 4: Utilizing a Third-Party Subtitle Add-on

Step-by-Step Guide:

1. Launch Kodi and navigate to the home screen.
2. Click on “Add-ons” in the main menu.
3. Choose “Download” or “Install from repository.”
4. Select “Subtitles” or “Subtitle add-ons.”
5. Browse and choose an add-on like OpenSubtitles, Subscene, or BSPlayer Subtitles.
6. Click “Install” or “Get” to install the selected add-on.
7. Return to the home screen and play a video.
8. Access the subtitle add-on from the context menu.
9. Search for and download subtitles based on your preferences.
10. The downloaded subtitles will sync automatically with your video.

Note: Choose reputable add-ons for safety.

Dealing with Persistent Subtitles

If, despite your efforts, subtitles are still showing up, you might be dealing with hardcoded or forced subtitles. Let’s differentiate between the two and address each scenario.

Forced Subtitles vs. Hardcoded Subtitles

• Forced Subtitles: These are subtitles for foreign language sections of a movie, typically in scenes where the majority of the dialogue is in a native language (usually English). An example is “Kill Bill Vol. 2.”
• Hardcoded Subtitles: Subtitles embedded in the video file itself, making them inseparable. These are challenging to remove.

Removing Hardcoded Subtitles

If your subtitles are hardcoded, it’s a bit trickier to remove them. Consider using tools like Delogo or other applications designed for this purpose.

Final Thoughts on Kodi Subtitles

In conclusion, managing subtitles in Kodi can be straightforward if you know the right steps. Disabling subtitles for all videos enhances your viewing pleasure, especially for those fluent in English. Remember, if you encounter persistent subtitles, identify whether they are forced or hardcoded, and take appropriate action.